Discussions on Space Transforming from Modernism to Postmodernism

Abstract

This study aims to examine the transformation of the concept of space within the social sciences from modernism to postmodernism. For a long period, space was treated as a secondary concept in social theory and was largely overshadowed by the notion of time, particularly under the influence of Enlightenment thought and positivist philosophy. Within the modernist paradigm, space was predominantly conceptualized as a physical and objective reality, while its social and cultural dimensions were largely neglected. However, the spatial consequences of capitalist production relations and urbanization processes gradually rendered the relationship between space and social structures more visible. With the rise of postmodernism, critical approaches to modernist perspectives intensified, leading to a re-evaluation of space in its social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions. Postmodern thought conceptualized space not merely as a physical setting but as a dynamic phenomenon where identities are constructed, social relations are produced, and power relations are articulated. In this context, the simultaneous consideration of time and space has become a central analytical emphasis. By addressing the historical and theoretical background of the concept of space, this study compares modernist and postmodern approaches and discusses the implications of the transformation in spatial perception for social theory. The findings suggest that space has become a fundamental analytical category in understanding contemporary societies and has emerged as an interdisciplinary field of inquiry within the social sciences.